Minneapolis – Duluth/Superior
Passenger Rail Alliance Board
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sandstone, MN
MINUTES
Appointed Representatives Present:
Dan Erhart, *Anoka County, co-chair
Steve Raukar, *St. Louis County, chair
Nick Baker, Douglas County - Wisconsin
Roger Nelson, *Pine County
Sara Trieber, Mille Lacs Band Ojibwe
Paul Bergman, *Lake County
Larry Southerland, *Isanti County
Alternate Representatives Present:
Keith Nelson, *St. Louis County
Joe Gladke, Hennepin County
Elizabeth Glidden, **City of Minneapolis
Sharla Gardner, **City of Duluth
Doug Carlson, *Pine County
Appointed Representatives Not Present
Roger Reinert, ** City of Duluth
Mark Stenglein * Hennepin County
Robert Lilligren, **City of Minneapolis
* County Commissioner
** Council Member
(Other Attendees Attached to Minutes)
______________________________________________________________________
1. Call to order / introductions
Commissioner Raukar, chair called the meeting to order at 10:26 a.m. welcomed all
to Sandstone and introductions were made.
At this point Leonard Bonander welcomed everyone to Sandstone and informed
that plans for the proposed train station are on display with planners and architects
on hand to answer questions. A luncheon will be served at approximately 12:30
p.m. Taxi service will be provided to Robinson Park to view the scenic Kettle River
Trestle Bridge, golf at the Sandstone Golf course, the Sandstone art and history
center will be open to view a historical railroad service display, with a social
gathering from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at the Gaslight Bar & Grill. Thanks to the following
sponsors: City of Sandstone, Americana Fireworks Display Co., Sandstone Area
Chamber of Commerce, Sandstone Arts & History Center, Sandstone Area Golf
Course, Attaboys Taxi Service and Gaslight Bar & Grill.
2. Additions to Agenda
None.
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3. Approval of minutes from previous meeting
A motion by Commissioner Erhart, supported by Commissioner Roger Nelson to a
Approval of minutes from April 23, 2008. Unanimous.
4. Communications
None.
5. Reports
A. Financial
1. Expenditure reports for April & May 2008 - A motion by Commissioner
Bergman supported by Commissioner Southerland to accept the reports as
presented. Unanimous. Discussion was held on Bob Manzoline’s BNSF
trip to Texas expenses to be paid for by the Alliance with the issue to be
brought to the Technical Advisory Committee in the future.
3. Budget Report – Received, informational purposes only.
Bob Manzoline then reviewed the contributing parties and budget reports and
informed that meetings are ongoing with Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Mr. Fecker
further informed that the agreement with the Band would not be the same as the
rest. Mr. Fecker spoke with the Solicitor General’s Office and indicated needing
a few more weeks for processing on their end, hopefully progressing toward a
Memo of Understanding for 2008 and a more permanent agreement for the future.
B. Joint Powers Alliance Contributing Parties – Joe Gladke – Joe informed that
signed copies of the agreement have been distributed to all parties.
C. Media – Jill Brown – Jill informed of project media clips in April relating to the
new sales tax approved in the metropolitan area and the bonding process. Jill
informed that she was in Salt Lake City for the grand opening of their new
commuter rail program which was filled with excitement by the hundreds.
D. State / Federal Legislative Updates - John Ongaro, St. Louis County informed of
the vetoes handed down on the state side by Governor Pawlenty, however 2006
funding that did have a federal match requirement to draw down funds was
included on the back of the bill, that the federal match is no longer required, so
$900,000.00 is now available to conduct the Programmatic Environmental Impact
Study (PEIS). On the federal level, a fundraiser in St. Paul on May 16th for
Congressman Obey, message was loud and clear on importance of the project.
Correspondence was sent by Congressman Oberstar on legislation for the Rail
Renaissance Act, and additional funding for AMTRAK of which billions of new
dollars for passenger rail projects across the country. When in Duluth for the 8th
District Convention Congressman Oberstar announced his re-election campaign
and discussed some of his initiatives on the news of which passenger rail was on
top, more specifically he would like to pass legislation of $1.6 billion into
Midwest High Speed Rail Initiative between Chicago, Twin Cities and Duluth.
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Commissioner Erhart then updated the group on his and Jon Olson’s recent trip to
Washington, D.C. and stressed the importance of continued support of the project and
the fly-in on June 11th-13th in Washington.
John Ongaro then thanked Gary Cerkvenik for his work in Washington.
E. Burlington Northern (BNSF) Railroad modeling of Minneapolis –
Duluth/Superior rail corridor - Bob Manzoline informed that modeling was to be
completed by May 1st; however BNSF is having some problems with inclusion of
European (TALGO) equipment. Passing, sidings, acceleration and deceleration,
cornering, train station stops, platforms, freight re-routing and delays are being
modeled for existing/future freight and proposed passenger service.
F. Other – None.
6. Unfinished business
A. Consider Logo/Website design – Seven (7) designs were considered of which
voting was held on the logo for both the train and website. After narrowing the
designs down to two (2) final voting was made with the winner attached and
made part of the minutes.
7. New business
A. Consider submission of Federal Capital Assistance Grant Application in the
amount of $1,100,000.00 – Bob Manzoline informed that a grant application is
ready for submission to the Federal Capital Assistance program in the amount
of $1,100,000.00 for planning purposes and thanked Tim Spencer of MN DOT
Office of Freight/Commercial Vehicle Operations for project inclusion into the
State Transportation Plan and Improvement Plan and moving so swiftly. The
application has a state project number and will be submitted by the Department
of Transportation and Bob suggested authorizing submission. A motion by
Commissioner Erhart, supported by Councilor Sharla Gardner to authorize
submission of the application in the amount of $1,100,000.00. Unanimous.
B. Programmatic Environmental Impact Study (PEIS) funding & status report Bob Manzoline explained that a language change in 2006 bonding
appropriations bill has made available $900,000.00 of St. Louis County Grant
for the PEIS study of which the Joint Powers Alliance (JPA) is contributing
approximately $200,000.00. JPA amount may increase dependent upon Mille
Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Douglas County contributions. Total cost of the study
is approximately $2.2 million. Bob then suggested moving ahead and seek
proposals for conducting the work. Following discussion, a motion by
Commissioner Larry Southerland, supported by Commissioner Bergman to
move forward and seek proposals for the PEIS study. Unanimous.
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C. Consider Joint Powers Alliance Agreement with Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
(Info to be presented @ meeting) - No additional information at this time.
D. Welcome to City of Sandstone presentation – See Leonard Bonander welcome
at the beginning of the meeting.
8. Other business
A. City of Sandstone reception, City Tours, Golf and other activities following
meeting @ Gas Light Bar & Grill.
9. Next meeting
June 25, 2008
Location to be determined at a later date.
Adjournment
With no further business, a motion by Commissioner Bergman, supported by
Councilor Sharla Gardner to adjourn at 11:56 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by Birdie Oddo.
_________________________________
Steve Raukar, Chair of the Alliance
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Minneapolis to Duluth /Superior Passenger Rail Alliance Attendees
Wednesday May 28, 2008 @ 10:00 a.m.
Sandstone Train Park – Downtown Sandstone
(Meeting in Tent)
Sandstone, MN
___________________________________________
Erika Fornengo
Gene LaLonde
Charles Radloff
Paul Strother
John Ongaro
Birdie Oddo
Bob Manzoline
Steve Fecker
Don Mohawk
Tim Spencer
Bill Bennett
Debra Brisk
Dale Muellerleile
John K. Carlson
Steve Novak
Lona Schreiber
Jill Brown
Sam Griffith
Mike Creger
Bob Hamiliton
Dave Carlberg
Mark Perry
Jerry Schultz
Tim Franklin
Mary Beth Davidson
Ken Buehler
County Coordinators Office, Pine County
Sandstone, MN
Edina, MN
Cologne, MN
St. Louis County
St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority
St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority
St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority
MN DOT
MN DOT
LHB - Duluth
MDR
MDR
Pine County
Anoka County
Anoka County
Anoka County
Sandstone, MN
Askov American
Hinckley, MN
Cambridge, MN
Hinckley, MN
Grindstone River Plaza
Pine County Corner – Hinckley News
Hennepin County
North Shore Scenic Railroad
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